Russia plans to form three west-oriented army divisions in 2016

The related program is expected to create permanent infrastructures, test sites, military hardware depots and barracks.

Three new west-oriented divisions will be formed this year, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has said.

"I cannot but mention such an important task as the formation of three west-oriented divisions. The task is extremely important," he said.

Shoigu added that alongside manning the three divisions the related program was expected to create permanent infrastructures, test sites, military hardware depots and barracks.

Last autumn Shoigu said that since the beginning of 2015 about 30 units and forces had been created in the Western Military District. And at the end of November he declared that fifteen units had been created in the Southern Military District and the establishment of two more units was in the final phase.

According to earlier reports, the Western Military District had been reinforced with a newly-formed 1st tank army, headquartered near Moscow. A senior source in the General Staff told TASS the 20th general purpose army in the district had to be created from scratch, as most of its original forces had been handed over to the 1st tank army. The 20th army is to be stationed in five regions in the west of Russia. Its headquarters are Voronezh.